Snap-switch



T. L. PARKER.

SNAP swn'cH. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2.1918.

PatenteaAug. 30,1921.-

J', iiY

T. L. PARKER.

SNAP SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 191s.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 52 Y MW/@FII f 6 l i 7 L PARKER. SNAP SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAILZ, I9I8.

1,3892 1 8 Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. lf/Mew fr" 80 novel construction, arrangement and UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS L. PARKER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNOR To THE STANDARD ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS,v

Specication Of Letters Patent. v',fPi-,ented Aug. 30, 1921` Application mea Haren a, 191s,"v ysei-iai No. 219,a49.

To all 'whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. PARKER, b

at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate a citizen of the United States, residin of Illinois, have invented certain new and 'useful Improvements in Snap-Switches, 'of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as snap switches, particularly switches. jects the production of a deviceof the kind described that is simple, compact, -con lvenient, durable, safe, efficient and satisfac- 15.-l tory for use wherever found applicable., It

lhas particularly as an object the production of aswitch of the kind described that will operate easily, smoothly and substantially. noiselessly and which will have a quick movement so'that there will be no arcing and burning of the brushes or contacts. It has as an additional object the production-of a device which may be easil and economically constructed and assemble Manyother obJects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious' to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the .combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate parts, y

Figure 1 is a fro'nt elevationof one type of the switch, the usual cover plate. removed;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

A Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view tially on line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the brush carrying member;

45 taken' substan- 4Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rockerV arm- Fig. 9 is a perspective View partly illustrating an assembly of the parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8;

tially the type known as push button snapl rI`he invention has among its olilike or .corresponding Fig. 10 is a sectional view through a portion of the brush Carrying member and rushes; Fig. 1v1 a Sectional view taken substan- 'I Online 11--11 of Fig. 12 through the rocker arm and button stem;

Fig. 12 is a sectionalv View taken substantially on luie-12-12 of Fig. 11;

F1 13 is a view similar to'F ig. 1 of a doub e pole switch;

Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 9 of the mechanism for controlling .the brushes of the same;

Fig. 15 isa sectional view similar to Fig. 2 of a three way switch showing the brushes as seen from one side;

Fig. 16 is a similar sectional view takenv through the other side, showing the brushes as seen from the other side; and

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the brush carrier and brushes of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a plate Of suitable size, shape and material, and 2 a base or receptacleof suitable size, shape and material, porcelain yor like insulating material being preferably employed. The parts 1 and 2 may be secured together by the screws 3 3 or the equivalent for the purpose. lI have shown a single switch having the two operating buttons 4 and 5, the same projecting into the recess or chamber of' the rece tacle 2 and being connected with the 'switch mechanism as hereafter described., v i

Arranged within the receptacle are the bracket or base arms 6-6 carr ing the brush controlling and operating mec anisin, which arms may be secured in any place in any suitable manner. As shown, the same aref provided with the lugs- 7-7, etc., which extendthrough'the plate 1 and upset at the end s'o that the` armsare substantially `riveted onto the plate 1, and to all intents and purlposes are the same as if formed integral wit ably formed with the free ends rounded as at 8, and with stops 9` at each side, and they carr studs 10, or the equivalent, on the outside vface 'of each, and studs 11, vor the equivalent, on the "inside faces.

ofthe material outwardly or inwardly-as the case may be, as 'illustrated in Figs. 4

the plate 1. These arms are prefer- In the 106 preferred .construction these studs are formed by punching a portion of the body- 6 may be stamped out by suitable dies or in an equivalent manner.

Referring to Fig. 8, the rocker arm or button connecting member is shown, `which consists .of a part 14 turned or bent down at each side, so that it is substantially U 'shape to provide arms 15 and 16, which are slotted or similarly formed 'at 17 to form bearings arranged to coperate with the lugs 11 as will be hereafter described. 'Ihe arm at one side or one leg of the U- shaped part, as shown arm 16, is extended as at 18-18 and provided with an extending part 19 adjacent each free end, the outer end of 19 being for-med as at 20, or in an equivalent manner.Each button is provided with a part 21 of suitable size, Shape and material, the same being preferably'bent or offset as most clearly shown in Fig. 11, and provided with an opening 22 having an openside between the ends 232 Part 21 is connected to the part 18 by positioning. the extending part 19 into the recess 22, the ends 23 being preferably close together as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. I have shown the hole 22 vsubstantially round with a portion cutaway at one side so as to form a suitable bearing, it being possible to slip the parts together or assemble them after they are completely formed. However, after assembling and turning the parts in their normal positions, they are locked against accidental disengagement. Parts 21 and the connecting member shown in Fig. 8 may be suitably formed by dies or the equivalent. It will be noted that a loop 24 is formed or provided on the part 14, the purpose of which will'be explained hereafter.

The brush carrying member is also preferably U-shape, and is shown in perspective in Fig. 7, in which 26 is a part turned down` as at 27-28 at each side to form arms or legs, the same being'preferably slotted as at 29 to form bearings arranged to engage with-the studs 10 in the outer face of each member 6 (see Fig. 4). -At one or both sides (Figs. 1 to 10, as shown one side`28), the same is formed with the extending parts 30, which at their ends are formed with posts or pins 31. The posts or pins 3l carry the brush members 32, the ends 33 of which are preferably spaced and formed so as to embrace the contact members 47. The brush members are shown secured on the pins 31 between plates 34 and 45, preferably of metal, and plates 36 and 37 of insulating material such as rubber, mica, fiber or the like. ringto Fig. 10 that the insulating material is so arranged as to insulate the brushes and the pins 31. v I prefer to make a round projection extending through the brushes and a square or rectangular hole through which the pins 31 pass. The several parts It will be noted by refer` 56 and 57, the

just described are secured together by upsetting or riveting down the ends of pins 31 as shown. The cross part 26, as most clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 9 as well as Fig. 5, is formed or provided with a loop 39. A sprmg 404 engaging with the loop 24 and loop 39 connects the parts 14 and 26 together. I

The body or porcelain receptacle 2 1s preferably recessed or chambered as at 42 and carries the contact members 47 previously referred to. In the construction shown, receptacle 2 is provided with shoulders or faces 43, upon which are mounted the plates 44 secured in place by screws 45 or the equivalents extendingv through the porcelain. Each contact member or plate 44 is turned down as at 46 into the recess (see Figs. 2 and 4) and the lower'or inner end is turnedgoutwardly fromthe porcelain g5 as at 47 to provide the contacts arranged to coperate with the brush ends. Obviously the brush parts 32 may be in the form of a single blade and the contacts 47 be similar to the brush parts shown and embrace the blade. In the preferred construction these contacts and associated parts are so' arranged and proportioned that the brush may be straight, and when in operative position extends across the recess and engages 95 the contacts on opposite sides thereof. When the button 5 is depressed the brush end adjacent that button will move outwardly and the opposite end inwardly, the parts being so proportioned and arranged 100 that the brushes are separated equally from their respective contacts: lIhis is very desirable as it enables'the device to be made [very compact and permits better standardto engage suitable screws-for securing the cover plate P, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2

in place, While the holes 53 and 54 are arranged to receive screws or bolts for securing the switch in its receptacle or to where desired, the particular holes 53 or 54 used 120 depending upon the receptacle or box, it being the usual practice to arrange the switch shownin a metal or other box. I have shown the porcelain cut away as at 55,

purpose of the cut-out heilig obvious. lYhile I have shown but a single switch and base, it will be obvious that the same may be assembled in gangs, each usually having its individual porcelain receptacle, or in some cases one porcelain receptacle may be provided arranged to receive any desired number of switch mechanisms. In assembling the switch parts they spring v4.0 is attached tothe part 14 of the rocker arm andthe same set in position on the brackets 6-6 withthe pinsv or lugs 11 in the bearings 17. It is then moved to one side and one button is placed and then turned over and the other button positioned. The brush carrier is now set in position and the spring 40 attached thereto as show-n. The mechanism, contacts, etc. may then be secured to the porcelain and the switch is complete. It will be noted` that removing plate 1 removes the assembled mechanism described, and replacing the plate replaces the same.

The operation of the switch may be best described by referring to Figs. 3, 5 and 9. As the parts are shown, contacts 47 are connected by the brushes and the circuit closed through the switch. Ifnow button 5 is depressed this will rock. the rocker arm about the studs 11, carrying the end of spring-40 -past the lugs 10 and 11, and the spring drawmg on the connectingpart 26 w1ll snap the brush carrier to the opposite side, thereby throwing the brushes out of contact with the contact members and breaking the circuit.

The spring, however, ,will maintain the brush in this position until the other button lis again pushed, thereby moving the spring past the studs again until the same passes them, and then throws the brush carrier to the opposite side about its pivotal supporters or studs. 10, thereby again closing the circuit.

It will be noted that when the part 26 is thrown from one side to the other it bears against the parts 21 which serve as stops, so that all the parts are held securely. Owing to the improved construction, not only may the parts be very cheaply manufactured in so far as labor is concerned, but also as to the quantity of material used, and in assembling the completely constructed parts may be slipped together without additional riveting, bending, soldering or like operations.

Referring to Fig. 13'in which the double pole switch is shown, it may be mentioned that this switch is substantially like the single pole switch previously described eX- cept that the receptacle 2 is made somewhat Vwider and the brush carrier is arranged. to carry brushes at each side. In this case, in place of the brush carrier shown in Fig. 7, I provide a brush carrier (see. Fig.

vided with an additional set of contacts for the eXtra brushes. In other respects the construction is substantially-similar to that shown in Figs. 1 ,to 12. Y

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate the three way switch which is provided with two sets of brushes.iA In lthis case the receptacle and contacts are similar to that shown in Fig. 13, 'and the brush carrier Gli- 65 is similar to that shown in Fig. 14 except that the parts corresponding to 60 at each side are so arranged that the brushes arenot in alinement but are at an angle to each other, so that pushing one button closes the circuit between the two contacts and its respective brush and breaks the circuit through the other brush. Pushing the other button breaks lthe circuit at the first mentioned brush and closes the same through the other brush. AWith this type of switch the' contacts may be connected up as desired so as to afford different wiring combinations.

vWith the exception of the difference mentioned the switch corresponds substantially witlrthat shown in Figs. 1 to 14. It will be particularly noted in this connection that with the three. types of switches the only changes are in the brush carriers, the difference in the receptacles and the additional contacts. As a matter of fact any of'the switch mechanisms may be used in the type of receptacle 2 shown in Fig. 13. The receptacle shown in Fig. 1, however, is not as wlde and is not constructed with as large a .recess as it is found advantageous where possible to have the receptacle substantially small.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses men` tioned.

What I claim as new and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is 1. .In a snap switch of the kind described and in combination, a plate, a pair of spaced bracket arms carried by said plate, said bracket arms each having bearings projecting from the inner and outer faces thereof,

'a brush carrier having open bearings and detachably mounted on the bearings at the outer faces of said bracket arms, a rocker arm having open bearings and detachably mounted on the IIbearings at the inner face of said brackets, a spring connecting said brush carrier and said rocker arm, and cooperating buttons for said rocker arm.

2. In a switch, a brush, actuating mechanism therefor including a rocker arm consisting of a U-shaped lpart provided with open bearings at the free end of each of the sides, one side having an extending arm at each edge, said arms each provided with a T-shaped offset near the free end extending toward the other side of the U, and a button foreach arm provided with a stem, said stems each formed with ari open bearing arranged to engage the adjacent offset.

3. In a switch, a brush and brush carrier,

actuating mechanism therefor including a rocker arm consisting of a U-shapedl part provided with open bearings at the free end of each of the sides, onevside having an extending arm at each ed e provided with an inwardly extending T-s aped offset near the free end and extending, toward the other side of the U, a button for each arm, each button provided with a stem formed to engage said offsets between the arm and head of the T, said stem cut away to permit the assembly of the stem on said arm.

4. In a snap switch of the kind described and in combination, a recessed receptacle, a plate arranged over the recess in Said receptacle and providedwith a pair of bracket arms extending into said recess, a brush carrier part consisting of. a single piece of material bent at the ends to form a U-shaped piece a-nd provided with open bearings at the free ends thereof, said part journaled on the outer faces of said bracket arms and movable past the free ends thereof, one side of said part provided with a flange, a contact member carried by said ange, a rocker 'arm consisting of a single piece of material bent at the ends to provide a substantially U-shaped part and formed with 'bearings at the free ends, said partbeing journaled on said bracket armsvat the inner sides thereof, said part having an extend- 'ing arm at both sides of one of the bent over ends, a plurality of buttons each having a stem, and integrally formed means on 'each arm adjacent the end thereof. for securing said stems.

5. In a snap switch of the kind described and in combination, a receptacle provided with a recess therein and having a contact Imember at each end of said recess, a plate extending over said recess and secured on" said receptacle, a pair of spaced bracket arms carried by said plate and projecting into said recess in said receptacle, a brush carrier consisting of a U-shaped part provided with flanges on one of the sides of the U pivotally secured on the outer faces of said bracket arms, a straight brush carried by said flanges, said brush arranged to coperate with and bridge said contact members in said recess, actuating means for said carrier comprising a U-shaped rocker arm part pivotally secured on the inner faces of said kbracket arms and connected with said carrier, one side of said U-shaped rocker arm part having an extending arm at each edge, a button for each of'said arms, each button 6. In a snap switch of the kind described I Vand in combination, a receptacle formed with a recess therein, a plate extending over said recess, a pair of spaced bracket arms carried by said plate and projecting into the recess, said bracket arms having integrally formed bearings projecting from the inner and outer faces thereof and each formed with a curved free end with a stop at each side thereof, a brush carrier member detachably mounted onthe bearings of Said. outer faces of said arms and slidable on said curved faces, a rocker arm member de- `tachably mounted on the bearings at the inner side of said brackets, a spring connecting the two members, operating buttons for said rocker arm, and contacts for said brushes arranged in said recess adjacent the ends of the brushes.

7. In a switch of the kind described and in combination, a receptacle, a plate secured thereto and arranged for attachment to a cooperating part, bracket arms provided with integrally formed studs and carried by said plate and extending into said receptacle, a contact carrier having open bearings and detachably mounted on the studs on said bracket arms, contact members carried by said carrier at each side thereof, a rocker arm having open bearings and detachably mounted on the studs on said bracket arms and resiliently connected with said brush carrier, and a plurality of coperating contact members for each of said first mentioned contact members carried by said receptacle. I'

8. In a snap switch of the kind described and in combination, a `recessed. receptacle, a plate arranged over the recess in said re ceptacle and provided with a pair of brackety arms extending into said recess, a brush carrier consisting of a single piece of material bent at the ends toform a U-shaped part and provided with open bearings at the free ends thereof, said partjournaled on the outer faces of said bracket arms, said part provided with flanges at each side, contact members carried on each side of said car rier by said flanges, a rocker arm consisting of a single piece of material bent at the end to provide a substantially U-shaped part and formed with bearings at the free ends,

said part being journaled on said bracket' arranged .for connection ifvith Suitable ebnductors.

9. In asnap switch oit' the kind described and in combination, a recessed receptacle, a plate arranged over the\recess in said receptacle. and provided with a pair of bracket arms extending into said recess, a brush carrier consisting of a Single piece of material bent at the ends to form a vU-shaped part andprovided with o pen bearings at the free ends thereof, said part journaled on the outer faces of said bracket arms andl movable past the free ends thereof, Said part provided with fianges at each side, straight contact members carried on each side of said carrier by said flanges, one member being turned at an angle relative to the other, a rocker arm consisting of a single piece of material bent at the end to provide a substantially Ushaped part and formed with `bearings at the free ends, said part being journaled on' said bracket arms at the inner sides thereof, said part having an extended arm at both, sides of one of the bent over ends, resilient connecting means between said carrier and rocker arm, a plurality of scribing Witnesses.

THOMAS L. PARKER.

l Witnesses:

Roy W. HILL, CHARLES I. Co.

buttons, one connected tof one extendingl v arm and the other to the other arm, and a' 

